Almost every mine and quarry worker has undergone a safety reset across Queensland following six deaths across the industry in 12 months, Mines Minister Anthony Lynham has revealed.
ALMOST every mine and quarry worker has undergone a safety reset across Queensland.
Mines Minister Anthony Lynham this morning revealed more than 49,400 workers had taken part in 1,115 safety resets at more than 219 worksites.
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The reset was initiated by industry and the State Government in July after six deaths across the industry in 12 months and was to be completed by the end of August.
There are about 50,000 workers across the state.
Dr Lynham said it represented 96 per cent of workers, with Rio Tinto having advised they were yet to complete the reset at their Weipa operation.
“They have more than a thousand workers, in 88 crews, at three operations across 4000 square kilometres,” he said.
“I acknowledge it is a huge task.
“They expect to finish by the end of this month.
“I am advised that the remaining small percentage of the industry who have not attended resets are itinerant or campaign-based quarry workers or people employed on alluvial and small scale mines - across several hundred sites.”
The Government yesterday introduced a Bill which proposes establishing Resources Safety and Health Queensland as an independent body from the Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Department to focus on the safety and health of all resources workers.
Dr Lynham this morning said if any worker had not had an opportunity to participate in a reset, then to raise the issue with their union or employer.
“This is just the beginning – as every shift should be when it comes to safety,” he said.
“Workers, unions, industry and government must all continue to work tirelessly so that every worker returns home safely after every shift.”
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has been asked what action she will take against Deputy Premier Jackie Trad in light of the Government's integrity crisis.
"As I've said in this House time and time again, they (LNP) only have to wait until tomorrow," the Premier said, referring to the Crime and Corruption Commission's assessment which is expected to wrap up tomorrow.
She then took aim at the Opposition for not asking any questions about Townsville.
– Domanii Cameron
NO MONEY raised from an exhibition at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art featuring works from a paedophile artist will be passed onto child safety charities.
The Opposition asked Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch during Budget Estimates if any money made from the exhibition would be passed onto charities, after it was revealed it included works from paedophile artist Donald Friend.
Ms Enoch today told the House during Question Time that she had been informed that the exhibition had made no profit, which meant no money could be passed onto charities.
“I did write to the Chair of the Board (of the Queensland Art Gallery) asking for information regarding that,” she said.
Ms Enoch then spent time touting the Government’s commitment to the arts.
– Jack McKay
HINCHINBROOK MP Nick Dametto has asked the Premier what percentage of QFleet is using E10.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk initially took the question on notice but then told the House in 2018-19, 21 per cent of purchased fuel was E10.
"We are trying to drive up that purchase and it has increased from 17 per cent to 21 per cent," she said.
– Domanii Cameron
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk said she will absolutely accept the decision of a court due to rule on the future of New Hope’s New Acland coal project.
Ms Palaszczuk was asked to meet with workers of New Hope today to explain why, after 12 years, the Government still had not signed off on approvals for its controversial New Acland Stage 3 mine, northwest of Toowoomba.
The question comes ahead of a planned press conference by the company at Townsville’s Convention and Exhibition Centre, where regional parliament is sitting this week.
The company plans to make half its 300-strong workforce redundant from Monday if it does not get long-awaited mining and water licences.
The project has been the subject of numerous court battles.
Ms Palaszczuk said she went to the election promising to accept the decision of an upcoming court decision.
“My Government is waiting on the finalization of proceedings in the court of appeal,” she said.
“… And all parties know that that decision is imminent.”
– Jessica Marszalek
THE LNP are continuing along the integrity line.
Opposition justice spokesman David Janetzki asked the Premier whether Keppel MP Brittany Lauga will face any consequences for her late declaration of a one-night stay at the home of a Chinese businessman alongside two councillors while on an international education trip.
Ms Lauga told the House last month she declared the stay as soon as she became aware she needed to.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she accepted that explanation.
“The Member for Keppel has explained that issue,” she told the House.
“Every member has an obligation to comply with the register of interests through the Clerk of Parliament.”
– Sarah Vogler
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has dodged another question over whether she would enforce the rules of the Ministerial Handbook.
Ms Palaszczuk again repeated she would be looking at the findings the CCC hands down tomorrow in relation to the assessment of Jackie Trad.
She claimed CCC chair Alan MacSporran had previously said the watchdog could make recommendations as part of that assessment.
“The CCC will be bringing down its finding tomorrow,” the Premier said.
“I will be looking at those findings … I will be taking actions.”
Her response came off the back of a question from Opposition frontbencher Jarrod Bleijie, who pointed out the CCC has no jurisdiction over the Ministerial Handbook.
The Premier also used the opportunity to have a dig at Mr Bleijie, saying he seemed to be “a lot calmer in Townsville than he is in Brisbane”.
– Jack McKay
THE Premier has been asked what consequences Jackie Trad will face for failing to declare her interest "in a $700,000 investment property that will increase in value substantially because of decisions made by the Palaszczuk Government?"
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk referred to the state's corruption watchdog's findings that are expected to be handed down tomorrow.
Someone said, "They've (LNP) run out of Townsville questions".
– Domanii Cameron
DEPUTY Opposition Leader Tim Mander has asked Deputy Premier Jackie Trad why she hasn’t followed the example of senior Labor figure Robert Schwarten, who has stood aside from his director role during an assessment by the Crime and Corruption Commission.
“Can the Deputy Premier tell the house why she chose not to follow Mr Schwarten’s example and choose right over wrong?” he asked.
Mr Schwarten, who served as a senior minister in the Beattie and Bligh governments, this week contrasted his own decision to stand aside as Queensland Building and Construction Commission director to Ms Trad’s decision to remain.
The long-serving former member for Rockhampton and housing minister was accused last year of taking kickbacks, including the painting of his beachside bungalow, from a controversial builder that won government contracts.
He has strongly denied the allegations.
“I know right from wrong, and I will leave it at that,” he told The Courier-Mail.
Ms Trad criticised Mr Mander for not asking questions about Townsville and creating a strong economy in the north during the three-day regional sitting of parliament.
She said the LNP were “merely focused on gutter politics”.
She also questioned the integrity of an Opposition MP who interjected, raising the LNP’s action to reduce the disclosure amount for political donations and their sacking of the CCC’s parliamentary oversight committee.
– Jessica Marszalek
PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk says she will look closely at what the CCC says tomorrow when they announce the findings of their assessment of Jackie Trad.
Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington grilled the Premier about the integrity saga again during Question Time today, where she asked Ms Palaszczuk if the register of members’ interests was meaningless to her.
Ms Palaszczuk said she would not comment further on the matter until the CCC’s assessment was released on Friday.
“It is the responsibility of every member to ensure that the register is up to date,” she said.
“I will look very clearly at what the CCC says tomorrow and I will respond.”
– Jack McKay
THE Opposition has kicked off Question Time, continuing its grilling of the Government's integrity crisis, with Leader Deb Frecklington asking Annastacia Palaszczuk when she would sack Jackie Trad.
"As I said very clearly in this house, the CCC has publicly said it will hand down its findings tomorrow," the Premier responded.
"I will be responding following that handing down."
The Premier then had a dig at the LNP, telling the House Townsville was ground zero for sacking.
The Crime and Corruption Commission is expecting to wrap up its assessment into a complaint regarding the Deputy Premier tomorrow.
It comes after The Courier-Mail revealed Ms Trad failed to declare a Woolloogabba property purchase on time.
– Domanii Cameron
Health Minister Steven Miles has apologised to businesses that have suffered delays because of the new Queensland Health payment system.
A Queensland Government-owned utility corporation has underpaid hundreds of its senior staff for more than a decade in a bungle that could have ripped off up to a quarter of its workforce.